BC Achievement is thrilled to share the names of the 2025 recipients of the Indigenous Business Award (IBA) – a celebration of the strength, vision, and innovation thriving within Indigenous economies across British Columbia.
Now in its 17th year, the IBA program, one of five award initiatives from the BC Achievement Foundation, honours Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs whose work not only uplifts communities but also drives innovation while staying rooted in culture, land, and tradition.
“The 2025 Indigenous Business Award recipients embody the strength, vision, and wisdom of their Nations,” said Walter Pela, Chair of the BC Achievement Foundation. “These leaders are building businesses that uplift future generations and reaffirm the vital role of Indigenous economies across these territories.”
Recognizing Remarkable Entrepreneurs
This year’s recipients represent a diverse and inspiring range of enterprises—from young entrepreneurs to community-owned ventures and long-standing leaders. Their stories are inspiring examples of how Indigenous business continues to grow, evolve, and lead across sectors.
Meet the 2025 IBA Recipients:
- Young Entrepreneur of the Year
4 Generations Creations – Kamloops - Business of the Year (1–2 person enterprise)
Touch of Culture – West Vancouver - Business of the Year (3–10 person enterprise)
Authentic Indigenous Seafood Co-operation – Kamloops - Business of the Year (11+ person enterprise)
Salish Soils – Sechelt - Community-owned Business of the Year (one entity)
Skwlāx Resource Management Ltd – Chase - Community-owned Business of the Year (two or more entities)
Khowutzun Development Corporation – Duncan - Business Partnership of the Year
Kettle River Contracting LP – Cranbrook - Award of Distinction for Lifetime Achievement
Harold Calla – Squamish Nation
Each recipient will be honoured at a formal gala ceremony at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The event is open to the public and promises to be an evening of celebration, connection, and inspiration. Early bird tickets are now available for $250 per person—purchase your tickets here.
With more than 230 alumni to date, the IBA program does more than honour excellence – it builds bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous economies, creates authentic spaces for Indigenous success stories to be shared, and helps inspire the next generation of business leaders.
A special thank-you to this year’s jury panel:
- Tim Low, Board President, ANTCO & member of Métis Nation BC
- Ernie (Bones) George, CEO, Inlailawatash Natural Resource Services (2015 IBA alumnus)
- Ashley O’Neil, Owner of AshFireWear (2024 IBA alumna)
The Indigenous Business Award is made possible through the support of our partners. We are grateful to present the program in partnership with the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan).
Thank you to Our Partners
Special thanks to our Platform Partner RBC, and program sponsors: Ovintiv, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, New Relationship Trust, Seaspan, West Fraser, ANTCO, BCLC, FortisBC, and SFU Beedie School of Business.
Join the Celebration
Follow along as we highlight this year’s recipients through our #shinethelightbc campaign and help us celebrate the incredible leadership, resilience, and success of Indigenous entrepreneurs throughout the province.
BC Achievement: Elevate Excellence. Share Success. Inspire Change.